Alright guys so this is that chapter I've been wanting to write since I thought of this book haha I hope I pull some heart strings with this chapter

Night and day I ran to get back to the base only taking four days to reach it. I was eager to get back to Father hoping he'll be back to his healthy self after taking another body; hopefully Sasuke's. As I neared the base, I started to get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach making me hurry even more. As I entered the hideout, I felt a chakra spike so I activated my eyes seeing Sasuke in Father's room engaging him in battle. My heart started to race as I ran through the halls finally barging into the room.

What I saw was surprising, but I couldn't let Father's true snake like form distract me. Sasuke was about to slash his head off so I pulled out my twin swords flashing in front of Father blocking the attack. His sword bared down on mine; even with two swords, his strength was overpowering me. I looked up at Sasuke who held an emotionless expression making my anger spike. I brought my leg up kicking Sasuke in the chest sending him back towards the wall.

I lunged towards him swinging my swords at him which he easily blocked with his own. I started to overpower him until his sword started to spark making me jump back avoiding getting electrocuted. He went to swing at my stomach, but I jumped out of the way clinging to the roof looking down at him.

"What are you doing Sasuke? How could you try to kill Lord Orochimaru?" I questioned glaring down at the Uchiha.

"Stop intervening, this isn't your battle." He said as he jumped up towards me with his electrified sword.

"This is my Father, it is my battle!" I shouted as I jumped out of the way. Anger flowed through me as I stared at his cold face.

I tried to think of any jutsu I could use against him but this room was too small for battle; we both knew that. My jutsu were too big for this small room and would make the whole base collapse if we were careless. I set fire to my blade as I avoided Sasuke's next attack and swung at his legs only burning the bottom of his pants. I ducked under his next attack and swung my legs under his making him start to fall but he caught himself.

I looked over at Father seeing he was still in the same position as when I arrived but just watching us battle. I looked back at Sasuke also feeling confused knowing that he wasn't trying to kill me; he hasn't aimed for any vital spots. He swung his sword down at my shoulder which I attempted to block but managed to get my arm cut instead making me drop my one of my swords. I ran towards him swinging my sword hearing the clang of metal hitting each other.

One swing after another we both fought fair and square with no added ninjutsu. I maneuvered myself around Sasuke grabbing his arm then turning my back towards him elbowing him in the chest then his face. He staggered backwards a bit stunned giving me the opportunity to punch him in the stomach. He slid back only to run towards him again. He slid under me trying to swing at my legs but I jumped out of the way landing behind him receiving a cut to my ankle. He quickly turned around blocking my blade but I aimed it a bit above his sword so mine slid on top of his going towards his face.

He jumped back earning a cut on his cheek. He wiped the blood away as he went for another attack which I blocked. As he bared his weight onto my sword, he kicked my leg causing me to fall to my knees. As I tried to stop his sword from getting any closer, sparks flew from it sending them into my body making me scream out in pain. He stood over me watching as I convulsed at his feet. I tried to control my movements needing to get back up but my body wasn't responding.

Sasuke raised his sword ready to deliver the final blow until I saw a flash of white coming towards me. Sasuke was knocked to the side as Father's snake like body slithered towards me. His jaw was agape with his fangs baring as he bit into my wrist making me scream out in agony. It started to burn once he released his fangs from my throbbing flesh. I grasped my wrist wanting to stop the burning sensation, but it wasn't going to work. I could feel myself getting weaker and weaker as the seconds passed making my vision blurry. The last thing I saw was Sasuke swinging his sword cutting off Father's head.

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I opened my eyes only to see darkness. I was confused on why it was so dark but when I went to stand up, my head bumped into something making me immediately sit back down. I tried to stretch my limbs but once again I bumped into something.

"Where am I?" I wondered as I tried to recall the last thing I remembered.

As I thought, memories of Sasuke and I's fight flashed through my mind followed by Father's beheading. Anger coursed through me making my power spike. I extended my limbs breaking the wooden structure that kept me prisoner as I screamed out in pain. My wrist started to burn once more making me look down at it seeing a new mark. My eyes widened as I realized what Father had done; he finally gave me a curse mark.

It wasn't like any of the other's I've seen before but I liked it. A single snake was wrapped around itself biting its own tail, if the situation were different, I'd be ecstatic right now. Immense power surged through me as the mark began to glow but it quickly left making me feel fatigued. I fell to my knees as sadness washed over me once again.

"It can't be," I whispered then started to sob. "He can't be gone!" I shouted slamming my fists down in anger as tears trailed down my cheeks. I quickly got up running towards Father's room only to find it empty. I looked down seeing that his blood was already dried up on the floor.

"How long was I out for?" I wondered as I stared at the blood unable to look away.

I activated my eyes seeing Kabuto in the lab experimenting as if nothing had happened. I deactivated them and rushed down there but what I saw made me gasp in horror. Father's snake like body lying on the slab cut up like an animal with Kabuto wielding a bloodied scalpel. He turned around with blood on his face and clothing making me clench my fists and my blood began to boil.

"Looks like you survived," he said nonchalantly, "you've been out for days now. Thought you'd never wake up."

The way he talked made me start to shake, how could he act like nothing happened?! "What have you done!" I gasped rushing towards Father's body. "What are you doing to him?!"

He didn't answer, only stared down at me. I hovered my hands over Father's body concentrating on my life force and his like I had done with Sasuke years ago; desperate to bring him back.

"This is it Ko, the whole reason why Father made you; to revive him. This is my purpose...my only purpose." I thought as I kept looking at his lifeless body.

I started to feel the sensation I did back at The Land of Waves but it was gone just as quickly as it came.

"What the?" I questioned trying again but nothing happened. "Come on, it's gotta work!" I shouted but still nothing. "Come on!" I shouted in anger.

"You can't bring him back," Kabuto finally said.

"Yes I can! I'm suppose to do this!" I shouted desperately wanting this to work.

"His soul hasn't left this life yet! You can't do it!" He shouted which made me stop. (A/N have no idea how that actually worked so for the sake of the plot this is how it works)

I looked up at him in shock at his words; they couldn't be true. If he is right, then my whole existence meant nothing.

"No," I whispered not believing his words. "W-what happened to his soul? How is that p-possible?" I questioned as my heart started to sink and my throat tightened.

"Sasuke absorbed him taking his soul too."

I had no time to process his words for my anger started to spike once more as I remembered Sasuke's arrogant face.

"B-bastard!, ho-how could he do this?! How could he repay Lord Orochimaru like this! After all he's done for that bastard!" I shouted clenching my fists. "How could he be so ungrateful!"

My wrist started to burn once more soon glowing blue as I looked over Father's cut up body. I couldn't control my emotions any longer, I can't keep them in. I looked over at Kabuto once again as snakes started to slither across my skin.

"And you!" I shouted turning towards Kabuto. "How could you cut him up like a useless experiment!" I screamed at first then turned into a growl. "He took you in teaching you his ways! He gave you a purpose! If not for him, you'd be dead by now! The Akatsuki wouldn't have any use for you!" I screamed again stepping towards Kabuto with fury in my eyes. My power spiked even higher as I let the curse mark take over.

"Calm down Ko," Kabuto said in a gentle voice as he took a few steps back. " You don't know how to control the mark yet. Don't let it take control."

I knew he was right; I've seen many transformations and they all were out of control like Juugo when activating it for the first time. I took a few deep breaths trying to calm down but staring at Father's corpse wasn't helping so I had to close my eyes. After a few minutes, my anger washed away being replaced by sadness. When I opened my eyes, I knelt down besides his body running my hand through his hair.

"Lord Orochimaru," I whispered. "Dad," I choked out as my throat tightened. "You can't be gone..." I held back my tears that threatened to fall. I couldn't cry, it showed weakness; the first thing Father taught me. But just the thought of never seeing again, I couldn't hold it in. "Daddy!" I cried out with sorrow as I hugged the cut up corpse. "No, it should've been me."

I could feel my heart hurting as if someone stabbed it with a kunai. I've suffered many injuries but nothing compared to what I was feeling now. It felt as if the whole world shattered into many pieces...I had to get out of here. I quickly got up and pushed Kabuto out of my way as I ran down the halls into my room. I grabbed a bag quickly packing all of my belongings then ran towards Father's room.

On his dresser was a hand sculpture with a slate blue ring on the left pinky finger; his Akatsuki ring. I quickly grabbed it and put it on my own pinky. Just as I was about to leave something in the top dresser drawer which was slightly ajar caught my eye. I pulled it open seeing the back of a picture which I flipped over seeing an image of me when I was only five. I had just got done training judging by the many cuts and bruises on my body but I looked happy as I smiled at the camera; I don't even remember this. He kept a picture...of me.

My lips started to quiver and turn into a frown as I shoved it into my weapons pouch and darted into the hall heading for the exit. As I neared the exit I heard Kabuto running down the hall before halting to a stop.

"Ko come back!" He called out to me as I opened the door. "Where are you going to go?!" He shouted making me hesitate. "Everywhere you go someone will be after you! The villages, Akatsuki, and bounty hunters will find and kill you! You have nowhere else to go!"

I knew he was concerned for me but I couldn't stay here. "I'm sorry," I choked out before turning my back to him and bolted up the stairs out of the base running as fast as I could in a random direction.

I wasn't sure how long or far I was running for but not too long ago it started to pour. I was jumping through a forest for some time now but my foot slipped making me fall and roll on the ground landing on my back. I stared up at the grey sky eventually closing my eyes preventing the rain from getting in them.

"How could this have happened? If I just found the Akatsuki sooner, I would've made it back in time. I didn't even need to be on that mission...stupid Uchiha, how could he kill Father in his weakened condition? That coward." I thought as I clenched my fists. "Couldn't even face him when he was healthy. I should've seen it from the beginning; he never respected Father and wasn't even punished for it. This was bound to happen! How could I have been so blind?!" I shouted in anger.

I hated that Uchiha, he took everything from me. For his stupid revenge he killed my Father leaving me alone in this world with nowhere to go. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth just thinking about him. I felt the curse mark begin to burn once more so I had to calm down and not let it take over; I'm in control. I took deep breaths to calm down and think logically about this situation.

"There wasn't anything I could've done to prevent this." I thought sadly. "If I found the Akatsuki sooner, I would've been killed. They both were too strong for me to handle myself. If I didn't go on that mission, Kakashi would've been dead. Perhaps with Kabuto's help, we might've been able to save Father and defeated that arrogant Uchiha."

I couldn't get the image of Father's corpse out of my mind; I couldn't fight the tears they wouldn't stop. I don't remember the last time I cried this much or even if I've cried before but I didn't like it. From the rain and my tears, I couldn't keep my eyes open. They started to sting, my throat felt like it was swelling up and I couldn't stop shaking; no I don't like this feeling at all. My sobs echoed through the forest most likely sounding like a dying animal.

I turned to my side pulling my legs up and wrapped my arms around them attempting to comfort myself but it only made things worse. I was starting to have trouble breathing so I tried taking deep breaths but as I exhaled, I cried even more.

I know once word gets out about Father's death, everyone will rejoice, and I'll be the only one mourning. He was never the best Dad, not even a good one, but he was still my Dad....He was never meant to be one but I guess he could've been worse. I was special...in the beginning. Despite those last two beatings, he never hit me outside of training. He pushed me to be an excellent shinobi and I am one. My whole life I wondered if he did care about me but he had to of right?

But, I never got his approval...I had one goal and I couldn't even achieve it. That was what kept me going was just wanting to hear 'I'm proud of you'. That was my own reason for existing and now that has been ripped away too.

The memories I have of us weren't the best or memorable but there were a few that I held on to over the years. My hand brushed against the Sound Headband that was tied around my thigh making a faint smile appear on my lips.

~~~~

"What brings you home?" I questioned Father as he closed the door to our hidden house.

"Well your birthday is today isn't it?" He said as he pulled a box out of his Akatsuki cloak.

I looked up, my eyes were widened. I totally forgot about my eighth birthday. Returning my face to its emotionless state I looked him in the eyes.

"Here's your birthday present." He said throwing the box at me.

I easily caught it and started to open the box. When I opened it I saw a headband inside with a music note on it. I looked up at him.

"What's this? I've never seen this insignia before."

"It's because it's new; when I leave the Akatsuki we're going to create another village."

"What's it going to be called and where?"

"It's going to be in the Rice Country and it's going to be called the Sound Village. We'll have a village full of rogue ninja which will be powerful; we will also have various hideouts just in case of ninja trying to find us."

"And by us you mean you since no one knows that I exist."

"Exactly."

"May I ask why you keep me hidden from the world?"

He paused for a second thinking something over then he looked up at me.

"If someone found out that you're my daughter then they would simply kill you. Don't worry, once I get followers and you're powerful enough they'll know who you are."

~~~~~~~~~

He wanted to keep me safe from the world...he was right...everyone wants me dead now that they know the truth. He had to of cared if he kept me hidden for my safety. Another popped into my head of our journey to the Sound.

~~~~~~

"We're stopping here for today," Father said as he put our bags down and started to set up camp.

"But My Lord," I started, "it's not even close to dusk."

"I want to teach you how to swim and to walk on water." He said as he collected wood and put it in the middle of our camp.

"Swim? What's swim?" I questioned.

"Swimming my dear, it's a skill you must know if you want to survive. If you're ever in the Water Country it's a skill you must have."

"Oh I see, what about walking on water?"

"It's a skill Shinobi use during battle or even to get to an island. Now, let's head towards the river."

He led me towards the flowing river which started to make me nervous. I've never seen a river before only read about it and it was a lot bigger than I imagined. When he stopped, he turned to me.

"Now, take off your shoes and get in the water. It's shallow right here so just walk in." He ordered.

I did as told and got into the water which was pretty warm. He got in sooner after and held out his arms.

"Hold onto my hands then extend your legs and start kicking."

After a few hours of him guiding me, I got the hang of swimming finding it quite fun.

"Walking on water requires chakra control. Send chakra to your feet and constantly send out the chakra making it disperse around your feet." Father instructed.

~~~~~~~

Those memories were all I had now...no more new ones with him.

"What was I supposed to do now? All these people I've killed and betrayed was all for Father and now he's gone."

Images flashed through my mind showing everyone in the Leaf and even Kitty...I had nowhere to go...No one to even help me through this pain.

"Maybe this is why Father didn't want me to get attached to him, maybe that's why Shinobi aren't suppose to have attachments; death is inevitable and hurts...But Father wasn't suppose to die...I was. Maybe he didn't want to get attached to me."

I let out a sneeze then opened my eyes looking at the luscious forest in front of me. I had to get out of this rain but I had no will to move. I made a few hand signs.

"Earth Style: Barrier Dungeon Chamber of Nothingness," I whispered.

The ground around me shook before it covered me completely. It was meant to suck out an opponent's chakra but for now it was my shelter. I couldn't stay out here forever, not even for a few more hours. There was a place that I could stay but it would be risky.

~~~~~~~~

"And that's why you're infatuated with me." I concluded.

"Yes but you are beautiful and I would love to get to know you better."

"Why me? I'm not much of an emotional person. This is actually the first time anyone has shown any interest in me."

"You look similar to my mother actually. I don't have a lot of contact with other girls but I have to at least be engaged by my eighteenth birthday and I'd love to have you as my bride."

I stopped in my tracks and looked at Diachi who had hope in his eyes.

"I'm flattered but I'm not wife or even girlfriend material Diachi. I am a shinobi and will always be one. I can't drop who I am just to play house with someone. It's not who I am."

Diachi looked disappointed but then a smile crept to his face. He reached over and grabbed my hand which I quickly moved away.

"Can I at least hold your hand until we go back to the inn?" Diachi asked with pleading eyes.

I could see he wasn't going to give in and the inn was only a few blocks away so with a sigh, I held out my hand which he gladly took. The village was so small we had already walked the perimeter and could see the inn up ahead.

"If you ever change your mind Ko, you can always see me before my eighteenth birthday. Just four years to go...hopefully for you I don't change my mind." Diachi laughed.

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No, it was too risky. He lived so close to the Leaf and his Uncle would know who I am...I can't drag him into my mess...I don't even know where I am. How am I suppose to survive? Father was all I knew and all I had.

"What do I do now?" I questioned as I looked up to the sky. "I was suppose to die anyway...suicide? No, I can't...that would be the cowards way out; I'm no coward."

Edited: 2/20/2021